Zeus strode through the throne room of Mount Olympus, taking in the faces of his elven brothers and sisters. His wife Hera, followed a half pace behind him, her purple dress flowing in a breeze that only affected her. Aphrodite smiled at Hera, her peerless beauty concealed behind a veil of twinkling diamonds.

A man with hair on his palms stood alongside Aphrodite, still his smithing apron. Zeus nodded to Hephestus, a minute token of his appreciation for the aloof god. There were others as well, his children, golden Apollo, swift Hermes, drunken Dionysus, wild Artemis, and wise Athena.

Reaching their marble thrones Zeus offered his hand to Hera. She accepted his hand, allowing him to lower her into the throne. Zeus sat and the elves found their seats.

“My brothers and sisters, my sons and daughters, hear me. An unrecognized pantheon has appeared on our coast. Thus I have summoned thee. Hermes! Tell us of the invasion.” Ordered Zeus, his voice as loud as thunder.

Hermes, the most slender of elves rose from his marble seat.

“Two months ago I became aware of a fleet that sailed through the sky. A fleet as numerous as the Achaeans we sent against Troy.” Began Hermes, pausing as the elven gods leaned forward.

“This fleet is a swarm of undead. They have taken the human’s northernmost port city and have begun moving inland. Acting as a vanguard for the flying castle which I believe houses the pantheon.” Said Hermes.

As he spoke, he worked his magic, summoning illusionary simulacra of the ships and castle. Visual representation of what he had seen and heard.

“Air ships and castles are hardly evidence of a Pantheon. Twas only a few centuries ago when the mortal king showed me his own flying ship. Shoddy work, but what dost thou expect from mortal hands?” Questioned Apollo.

“Each ship was commanded by an evolved shade, a greater being evolved from a human. I probed their defenses and found traps laid for beings such as we.” Answered Hermes.

Now his illusions depicted the castle, showed an image of him flying into one of the many docks. His body turned to ash as walls of blue power destroyed his mirror images. Clones of himself that could be used as scouts.

A thousand more images of his mirror images attempting to infiltrate the castle appeared. Testifying of his efforts to explore the castle.

Low murmurs of concern began to creep through the room. It had been millenia since they had consumed the last pantheon. Yet, the memories of their fallen kin were fresh in their immortal memories.

Ares stood, beating one fist against his bronze breastplate.

“We should slay the invaders. If they had desired peace they could have sent an emissary. Instead they trouble our mortal creations with war. Father, let me send out the call, summon the heroes of old to aid us. Achilles keeps his spear sharp, and Heracles’ is mightier than ever.” Implored Ares.

Zeus raised a hand to calm his son. Knowing that Ares was far too destructive to use against this enemy. Ares was as dangerous to the enemy as he was to the mortals, consuming their men and lands for a perpetual war.

No, they would wait until the enemy had culled the human population, then and only then would Ares be released. Zeus had no love for the mortals, but valued them for the rare woman that captured his eye. Not to mention the excellent gyros he had found served in Chattan, with their mouth watering meat and Tzatziki sauce that had the perfect amount of tang. His mouth began to water at the memory.

“Where is my brother Hades? The undead are his domain.” Bellowed Zeus, thinking the darkest god had the best chance of saving the mortal gyros.

An abomination stood, one of the cursed half elves rose from Hades’ seat and bowed to Zeus.

“My master sends his apologies Lord Zeus. The dead within Hades seek to cross the river Styx, so I was sent in his stead. I know I am the lowest form of immortal, but no greater servant could be sent.” Said the dead half elf.

Zeus considered annihilating the half elf, Hades knew how he detested their ilk and had probably sent it to annoy him. Hera took his hand in hers, constraining his fury. She hated the half elves more than he ever could, they were abominations, failures of their blood. Why his children insisted on mingling their elven blood with the mortal’s mud was a folly he would never understand.

“Tell my brother to set his house in order, or I will send Ares to strengthen his spine.” Warned Zeus, the implied threat as clear as lightning.

“A generous offer my lord! I have no doubt Lord Hades will send his gratitude. Though Hades sent me with his own requests-” Began the dead half elf.

“No. How many times must I warn him, no more Undead! Hades already commands more automata than Hephestus does. Thou had better unstop your ears, thou abomination. When this pantheon is dealt with I will visit Hades mineself.”

“As you command lord.” Said the half elf, returning to his seat.

A woman stood, calling the council’s attention to her. She wore a blue summer dress, long enough to appear feminine, while short enough for her to move and fight in. Athena, goddess of wisdom and war, was requesting the floor.

“Speak freely daughter.”

“Thank you father.” She said with a curtsey. “Hermes has shown us the enemy fleet, but he did not mention that the enemy is led by necromancers. If we draw out this war there is a possibility that the enemy could overwhelm us through numbers. They could kill our humans and leave us without the means to wage a war. I agree with Ares, we should rally our heroes and prepare for total war.” Advised Athena.

Many elves were taken aback by the goddess of wisdom siding with the manic god of war. Dozens of whispered conversations spread throughout the room, and several aloof elves now sat on the edge of their seats.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“Brother, I loved Fallbrook, their captain and lord always paid homage to me. And their ships never left port without an offering. I wish to do evil to these undead who sail the skies instead of water.” Said Poseidon, stroking his long white beard as he spoke.

Zeus nodded. Feigning deep thought as he considered the next move. Two of the ruling triumvirate had agreed to war, and Athena, the goddess of wise caution had suggested total war.

“So shall it be. Let this war be a total war against the invaders. Hold nothing back, rally our heroes and summon the mortal waves. Hephestus, cease your jewelers and ignite the steel smithies.” Ordered Zeus.

He was ready to dismiss the council when Hephestus stood. Muttering to himself before speaking to the court at large.

‘You have ignored my supplications for aid and now demand what cannot be done!” Shouted Hephestus.

Had it been any other elf, Zeus himself would have punished them for the outburst. Even the favorite Athena would face lightning for such an outburst. Hera shot a glance at Aphrodite, a matronly request from one sister to another, only to be ignored by the veiled woman.

“Calm yourself Hephestus. Did you not tell us you had a plan for the Leviathans? Did not Hades send you souls to strengthen your abyss?” Questioned Zeus.

“He did. But the worms targetted them first! Crunching my inventions before they could bear fruit! You must kill them father. Kill all the worms. Let none survive!” Demanded Hephestus.

Zeus narrowed his eyes, patience wearing thin with his craftsman’s tone.

“Watch your mouth.” He snapped.

The elves sitting near Hephestus leaned away from him.

“Father,” cooed Athena.

Zeus’ glare snapped to his daughter, electricity flowing around his eyes. Wise Athena met his glare, trusting in the wisdom she had been borne of.

“Send me to uncle Hades’ house. Let me assist him, so he may send new souls to Hephestus.” Offered Athena.

Zeus’ mind worked. Missing Athena’s strategic advice would leave a void in their leadership. One that war hawks like Ares would fill, goading their armies into conflict. Yet, Hades was one of the Triumvirate, and master of undeath. His experience and unholy experiments were needed to match the foe.

“What say you Hephestus?” Asked Zeus.

“Half my dungeons are gone. I cannot make divine weapons.” Intoned Hephestus.

Gasps echoed through the hall, all elves turning to the hairiest one. As powerful as elven weapons were, they could only withstand the evolved being’s might for a short time, burning out or melting from the god’s speed and magicks.

“We cannot fight another pantheon without your weapons!” Shouted Ares, plunging the Hall into an uproar.

Men and women shouted. Voices drowning out each other as the gods clamored for standing. Hermes offered favors in exchange for Hephestus’ weapons and soon every god was embroiled in a bidding war.

“A thousand mortal souls for one blade.” Cried Ares.

“A thousand deer for a dozen arrows.” Cried Artemis.

“A thousand dawns for a solar spear.” Cried Apollo.

“Ten thousand wines for a shield.” Cried Dionysus.

“ALL OF YOU! SHUT UP!” Thundered Zeus.

Silence fell across the gods as their king demanded.

“Athena, go to Hades. Take whomever thou wishes. Ares, rally the heroes, every single hero and ready them for war. Do not engage the enemy until Athena returns. Am I clear?”

“Yes father! We will ready our weapons and wait until Athena returns. It shall be a glorious war, fought in one day and with our last blades! Ah! It fires my soul!” Answered Ares.

“Artemis, slayer of beasts, kill a Leviathan. I entrust all of Hephestus’ weapons to thou. Brother Poseidon, can I entrust thee with her aid?” Asked Zeus.

Poseidon, an elf with blue hair and webbing between his fingers smiled.

“Only as long as water is wet.” Laughed Posiedon.

“Very well. This council has spoken. Now begone. I would have words with thee, Hephestus.” Ordered Zeus.

The elves left, standing and leaving through the main doorway. Though the greater gods, or those with greater purpose teleported away, vanishing from sight as Zeus commanded. Hades’ abomination was the last to leave, waiting until Athena collected him. Together they left the council room, teleporting away the second they cleared the wards.

Aphrodite whispered to Hephestus. Only for him to shrug her off, approaching Zeus’ throne and standing in front of it. Hera stood and went to Aphrodite, escorting her veiled sister out of the hall and leaving Zeus alone.

“Father-”

“How couldst thou be so foolish!” Shouted Zeus, barely containing his thunder.

“Thou might have damned us all! I am tempted to remove thine legs and imprison thou within thine forge!” Growled Zeus, his fury rumbling.

“This isn’t my fault! My wyrm slew the worm of Chattan! He could have slain them all, and should have, but two of the enemies’ worms destroyed his dungeon core.” Pleaded Hephestus.

“Silence thy sniveling! We did not conquer this land with excuses. How canst thou aid our victory?” Demanded Zeus.

Hephestus was slow in answering, searching for the words that would placate his intemperate father.

“Tantalus, he is a dungeon that may evolve, and carries one of my reforged wyrms.” Whispered Tantalus.

Zeus’ eyes grew wide, livid at the suggestion of evolving one of his son’s creations.

“When this war is won, thou will spend a century without thine legs.”

“Yes father.” Said Hephestus.

“How many divine weapons canst thou yet make?”

Hephestus processed the question, tapping his fingers in the air as he tallied his potential output.

“One lightning bolt or arrow per day, a spear every four and three quarters days, and a sword once per nine days.” Answered Hephestus.

“So few? Thou couldst manufacture tenfold before!” Howled Zeus.

Hephestus withered in the face of Zeus’ tempest. His guilt compromised his resolve and laid him low.

“I have myself to blame. One of the filthy worms came for my newest dungeon. Even as I stood guard and shaped the foundation!” Said Hephestus.

“What didst thou do?” Screamed Zeus.

“I know you told us not to touch them… but it attacked me! I only defended myself.” Blathered Hephestus.

Zeus looked down his nose at the craftsman, already knowing what had happened. The Leviathans lived off mana. They sought the dungeon cores because dungeons were designed to collect and condense mana, allowing beings to be created with magic. A way to sustain their vices and further his family’s power.

“Thou hast no mana.” Said Zeus.

His tempest cooled as he understood their dilemma. Hephestus had been sucked dry in totality. Something that would make Aphrodite blush, if she ever came to know of it. Hephestus had unwittingly evolved the enemy, put it into a coma for it to absorb his godly mana.

Zeus rubbed his brow, wondering how the worm had survived the transfer. Their bulk would not be enough to absorb eons of elven mana.

“Is there another path?” Asked Zeus, his voice muffled by thought.

“What do you want me to say? The worms targeted the greatest dungeons! I haven’t the mana to make more and no way to use what I have. I am nothing. My servants must make the weapons, for I cannot. My very being, my trade has been stripped away!” Cried Hephaestus, nervously tugging on his palm hairs.

“Go forge what thou canst.” Ordered Zeus.

The craftsman nodded, and walked out. In previous councils he would have teleported, but now… He left Olympus on a golden chariot, pulled by a quartet of pegasai. A necessity brought on by his lack of mana.

As Hephestus left the council, Zeus began to contemplate their recent turn of luck. He summoned a bolt of lightning, whispering a warning into it before flicking it away. Artemis needed to know the danger. She could not attack the Leviathan directly, complicating its eradication.

The Leviathan plague had appeared decades ago, a nibbling annoyance that did not consume dungeons. Millions of mortals had cried out for aid, only for their prayers to go unanswered. Zeus could never explain why the gods could not kill the worms. The mortal mud was incapable of understanding.

Thankfully, Hephestus’ wyrm had slain one quickly, leading him to believe the threat was manageable, being handled slowly but within an elven timeframe. Yet here they were. On the cusp of being overrun. With the ‘manageable worms’ pressing their untouchable lead.

He touched the throne, channeling his mana into the marble. A waterfall of sand appeared ten feet in front of him, flowing from the ceiling and falling into a perfect recreation of the continent. Ten Leviathans were marked, outlined in red as they crept through the dirt. Four were dead, two of which were still born monsters deep within the planet’s mantle.

A third Leviathan had tunneled into the sea, drowning itself, and the final fallen foe lay outside of Chattan. Slain by the dungeon wyrm.

He rewound time. Surveying the motions of the Leviathans from the moment the invasion began all the way back to when they had first appeared. His godly senses found what others had not. The Leviathans did not move randomly, they had a purpose, one that did not become clear until he added the pantheon’s invasion.

These worms had broken the humans. Instigating famines and strife ahead of the invasion, breaking fortresses and consuming dungeons that might have resisted the undead.

He was about to fight a war he had already lost.